I’ll start this review by saying that I adored The Flatshare – in fact it was one of my top books of last year, so I was a little nervous going in to The Switch. I really wanted to read it, but at the same time I didn’t want to start it in case it couldn’t live up to my expectations. I needn’t have worried, Beth O’Leary has created yet another awesome book, with more characters to fall in love with.

Just like Flatshare this book entices you in with an interesting idea, this time – if a Grandmother and Grandaughter swapped lives for 2 months, what would happen then?
Well I’ll tell you (with no spoilers, I promise), the answer is a whole lot and at the same time not a lot at all. By which I mean, no one saves the world or has a personality change, instead we get to know everyone between the pages, the communities they live in and the small everyday challenges that must be overcome in all our lives. The Switch is a very human story, at it’s heart is the question of who we are and how we find ourselves again once we get lost.

It’s a rare thing in a work of fiction to find an older character who is fully rounded, who still has their own wants and desires but that is exactly what Eileen is, it feels like she could step off the page and straight into bossing you around. I wish Eileen was my Grandma so I could spend time hanging out with her.

Leena was the same, she could be anyone’s friend. She feels absolutely real and not like she was formed in someone’s imagination at all. You felt her pain, cheered on her on and absolutely understood her.

If you were wondering whether or not to give this book a chance the answer is yes you should. By the end of the book I loved the people between it’s pages.

I adored this book. Loved the characterisation - such a strong follow-up after the incredible success of The Flatshare. I couldn’t put it down.

I had very high expectations for this book, considering how much I loved The Flatshare. It turned out I didn't have any need to worry.

I adored this book. I wish I had a grandmother figure like Eileen in my life, and I want to wrap Leena in a hug (or, ironically, cotton).

This book goes into quite a lot of deep topics, such as elderly loneliness, abuse, and anxiety. I cannot recommend it higher.

I'll say this right out of the gate: it's not as good as The Flatshare. That book had hype coming out of its
ears and it was one of my favourite books of 2019. It was a very tought act to follow. And whilst I think
Beth O'Leary has done an excellent job avoiding a sophmore slump, there's something about 'The Switch' that
lacks the charm and uniqueness of her debut novel.

However, it's not bad. In fact, it's rather good. So I'm going to be positive from here on out.

Lovely is the operative word here, because that's the best way to describe this book. It's lovely.

The novel follows grandmother Eileen and granddaughter Leena, both of whom need a break from their ordinary lives. So, they switch places with each other. The city rat goes to a village in Yorkshire and the homebody takes on the bright lights of London. It's a sweet novel with a premise that I do feel as though I've seen before, but O'Leary carries it off with her charming prose and cast of flawed, but interesting characters. The village setting was perhaps the more interesting of the two, with Eileen being the more interesting character, but the relationships work well against each other.

I also appreciated that the finding of a partner took a secondary seat to what the two women actually wanted to do: shake up their lives. They actually change their perspectives and take care of themselves, rather than always relying on other people. It's a nice touch that you don't often see in classic women's fiction.

Ultimately, I did really enjoy this book. Beth O'Leary has cemented herself as an auto-read author for me and whatever she comes out with over the next few years, I know I'm really going to enjoy. Hopefully she keeps capturing the spark and wit that came with 'The Flatshare' and, to a lesser extent, 'The Switch'.

I’ve been Eileened! This book is joyfully, gloriously, wonderfully, sweet and uplifting. At first I thought it would be a cheesy Freaky Friday imitation but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Absolutely makes me want to leave my office job behind and seek adventure in the Dales. Loved it.

This book was a joy to read. I loved the characters and laughed out loud on occasion. It was so nice to have older central characters and a welcoming change from the usual chick lit format.

Hilarious book read in one sitting funny characters and a great plat well done looking forward to more fro, this brilliant writer.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I loved this story almost as much as Flat-Share which was always going to be a very hard book to follow. I felt like I knew each character personally due to the description of them. I wanted to live where they lived and have friends like they have lol. Moreover, i felt totally invested in each one of them! The storyline was so clever and unusual. This is not my usual genre, I’m more of a crime/thriller reader therefore am extremely pleased and grateful for opening up my mind to something totally different. 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. Having read The Flatshare by this author and loving it I hoped her next book would be as good, it was absolutely brilliant. The characters and story were perfect and I couldn’t put it down. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

Oh wow what can I say. If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I was really lucky to be allowed to read a preview copy. I enjoyed the Flatshare so much and was a bit worried that the 2nd book might not be as good. I didnt need to worry it was excellent . The writing is just wonderful and all the characters - both the main ones and the characters that play a smaller part in the story are so well written they seem real.
The storylines could have been really sad but the authors style is both uplifting and true to real life. I only hope I can read other books this year that are half as good. There was absolutely nothing in the story that I could fault and I only wish I hadn’t finished it!!!
I am so looking forward to the next book Beth O’Leary writes.

Beth O’Leary’s The Flatshare was a huge hit with me and so The Switch – out April 2020 – is one of my most anticipated releases. I read it during my Christmas break and it was the perfect choice – warm, uplifting and totally different to anything else I’ve read lately. Review continues over on prettybooks.co.uk

A really easy, heartwarming read. I flew through it - would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants a tale of community and love in modern day cities and the countryside. Big fan of Beth O'Leary!

I was looking forward to reading this book since I very much enjoyed The Flatshare, Beth O'Leary's previous novel, and it didn't disappoint. I thought it had an unusual premise that would appeal to a wide range of readers. The author deftly combined some very poignant moments alongside amusing sections that brought a smile to my face. I did feel that some of the plot was slightly predictable in parts but it was a light-hearted and enjoyable read.

"Men. They always bloody let you down, don't they?"

4.5/5 stars

Well, that was such a lovely, feel-good read! It seems like a sweet book at first, but when you actually start reading, there's so many layers of important theme's that the author deals with, that it's so much more than a feel-good book. Grief, abuse, adultery, loneliness, it's all in there, and it's done so brilliantly.

I really liked the concept of Leena and Eileen switching their lives, but I've got to say that I was a lot more invested in Eileen's (grandma's) life than in Leena's. The sweet old lady took on the big city and made it her own. She really found her place, and not only that, she even had fun!

Leena's time in the village. well, I've got to say that I wasn't all that interested in it. I don't really know why, but the elderly lady moving to the city just interested me so much more!

This is the second time I read something by Beth O'Leary (granted this is her second novel) and I am now a true fan of her genre. I know that the moment I pick up her book it is bound to make me feel better, make me relax and ultimately even deliver a meaningful message across. The Switch for me was a wonderful little treat, keeping me company at night and making me immerse myself into the two main characters' lives. It was sweet, heart-warming and uplifting that I will for sure be recommending to my friends and family. If you're looking for a feel good novel, this is it!

I love Beth O’Leary’s books and this is the second one I have been lucky enough to review. A granddaughter and grandmother swop houses for a short while and experience a whole range of different experiences and emotions throughout the time. It looks at relationships, dealing with the death of a loved one and how that can impact on your life. It also shows the importance of getting involved as it can change lives. A fab read. Thank you for letting me review this book.

I loved the Flat Share - I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to enjoy this book so much, but it wasn’t what I expected it to be. I know I shouldn’t compare two different stories - but I expected to be as gripped to The Switch, but I struggled with it.

The stories of Eileen and Leena’s adventures whilst also grieving for Carla and worrying about Martha were enjoyable, but I wasn’t sure about Eileen’s switch to live in London. It didn’t seem like something a 79 year old would do. But it was nice to read all about Eileen’s adventures - ans also that internet dangers were highlighted. The conclusion of their stories appeared to happen too quickly though.

Thank you to Netgalley for advanced copy of this book.

The Switch, takes you on a witty and uplifting journey between London and Yorkshire as Leena Cotton is forced to take a sabbatical due to making a big mistake at work. She decides to switch places with her grandmother, Eileen, who wishes to fulful her dream of living in London after her husband has recently left her.

The 2 month adventure has lots of postives for both Leena and Elieen and ultimately allow them both to see the imortant things they have in their life. It is quite a predictable read but it is light and humorous. It reminded me slightly of The Holiday, with the switching idea.

Whilst I did enjoy it, for me the Flatshare was much more of an interesting idea and kept me enaged more. It hasn't put me off Beth O'Leary's books and I would like to try more of them but this one was a lot slower paced and I struggled to keep focus. 3.5 stars.

Completely fabulous! So refreshing to find a book where no one generation has all the answers, where everyone can learn from each other and where an older character is as cool and sorted as Eileen. Loved the idea and loved the execution. Have been recommending far and wide and look forward to featuring in the Gransnet book club

When I heard author Beth is writing a new book I immediately wanted to read it as soon I get the chance and I'm very thankful to Quercus Books for granting my wish with a review copy.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Flatshare like several other readers and have not yet found an equivalent romantic fiction till date. And she has done it again with this book, although it's nothing like her previous novel. Beth O'Leary has managed to create unforgettable lovely characters in her book that could become your new best friends for life. That's how I feel about the Cotton woman, all of different ages, each unique and relatable.

I see so many readers comparing the book to Holiday (it's a lovely movie!) because of the swapping plot but I feel there's more depth to the story than the movie. There's something for all women in this book that could be understood and related to, with the extraordinary characters involved.

I was totally looking for a feel good book to read, so I don't care how cheesy the book ended. It was just what I wanted and I'm so glad I chose to read this one at this time! It's my first book for 2020 and I wish the author all the best.

All opinions mine.